Petition to Save Sampson State Park Marina

BACKGROUND:

Prior to becoming a New York State Park, Sampson served as a Naval training center for more than 400,000 naval recruits during World War II and an Air Force training center for more than 300,000 airmen during the Korean War. The parks military history, the present Navy and Air Force Veterans Museum along with the recently announced Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery make the park historically significant.

Sampson marina is part of the current Sampson State Park which occupies over 1900 acres on the shore of Seneca Lake and has 308 campsites. The marina is a 103 slip multi use facility providing: 1) Boat launch & lake access, 2) temporary slips for campers, local residents and area visitors, 3) Seasonal slips 4) Transient slips for boaters traveling on Seneca Lake and the Cayuga- Seneca Canal, 5) The only mid-Seneca Lake Safe harbor during storms or other emergencies. In addition, Sampson marina is one of three official weigh stations for the annual Seneca Lake Trout Derby and the only station that provides camping, boat launch, docking and derby weigh-in. The three day lake trout derby attracts approximately 2000 participants annually and generates over $300,000 (estd 2006$) in revenue to surrounding businesses.

The marina was constructed in the mid 1960s and is approaching 50 years old. Due to its aging condition, underwater obstructions and shallow water depths several slips are unusable and fixed keel sailboats are prohibited from using the facilities. Piers and docks have deteriorated to the point that in a short time they will be unstable and/or unsafe for public use. During FY 2008-2009 NYSOPRHP completed a comprehensive marina reconstruction plan. The reconstruction has been placed on indefinite hold due to funding constraints.

REQUEST:

We the undersigned represent concerned boaters, campers, or supporters of Sampson that respectfully request the elected officials of New York State to appropriate the funds necessary to:

1. Remove underwater obstructions;
2. Dredge the marina to increase water depths to a minimum of 8-10
feet to allow full use of the marina facilities and access by
fixed keel sailboats and deep draft power boats;
3. Repair and/or replace piers and docks to a structurally sound
and safe condition;
4. Develop a longer term (multi -year) plan to complete the balance
of the marina facility reconstruction including infrastructure
upgrades, wave attenuation and ADA access.

Items 1-3 above will require immediate attention to prevent the closure of additional slips or the marina as a whole due to structural integrity and safety.

Item 4 can be planned as an ongoing, multi-year plan, if necessary.


This petition and the campaign to raise awareness of the current marina conditions and the need for action has been organized and sponsored by the Friends Of Sampson State Park, a tax exempt, not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of New York, dedicated to the preservation, conservation, improvement and development of Sampson State Park for the benefit of the public and posterity.